Storm-apron for vehicles.



No. 70l,6l4. Patented lune 3, I902.

W. G.-REESE. STORM APBON F03 VEHIGLES.

(Application filed Mn. 24, 1902.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM G. REESE, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

STORM-APBVONMFOYR VEHICLES.

srncrrrcnrron forming part of Letters Patent N6. w e eas June 3, 1902. Application filed March 24. 1992. ser al No. 9am. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

. Be'it known that 1, WILLIAM G. REESE, a citizen of the United States, residingi'n Oak land, county of Alameda, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Storm- Aprons for Vehicles; an dI hereby declare the following to be a full clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to-a devicefor protecting the occupants of carriages from the effects of wind, rain, snow, &c.

It consists in a novel construction of a waterproof apron having. a pocketat the front adapted to fit over the dashboard'of the-ve-v hicle, extending down upon each side thereof, said front portion having angular extensions and in connection with these extensions a body portion of the apron, the edges ofthe two being so connected that when the apron is drawn up'in front it forms a central ridge or apex, so that water is diverted to flow off upon either side and is prevented from settling into pockets or depressions which'may.

be formed in the apron. The latter is also by a peculiar connection drawn down closely upon the sides and prevented from being blown up by the wind.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a portion of a vehicle, showing the application of my invention.

, gram of the pattern for the main portion of the apron. Fig. 3 is a diagramof the pattern for thefront portion of the apron. T

In the usual construction of storm-aprons for buggies and like vehicles the apron is at} tached to the dashboard infront, andbeing cut rectangular in shape when it is pulled up it sags, so as to form a valley or depression between the dashboard and the upper end,

Fig. 2 is a di'a and water will settle into this valley, where it is retained. There is no provision in this form of apronffor holding it in place and preventing the" windi f rom blowing it 31 and aprons thus constructedare often difficult to keep in place upon the dashboard.

. It is the object of my inventlon to so construct the apron that the body or main portion of the apron shall be connected with the part which forms the pocket, fitting over the dashboard in such a manner that the main portion of the apron will form an approximately straight ridge from the front to the upper end when pulled up and will drop off to eachside with such a slope as to immediately discharge any water falling upon it. By thei peculiar cut of the two parts and the lines or. connection there is a constant pull upon'the sides as well as the center, and this tends to drawthe bottom of the front portion closely against the edges of the dashboard, thus formingakind of lock to prevent its be- 1ingjeasily pulledoff. I

The front portion Ais cut of a length trans= 'versely' to fitthe dashboard of the vehicle to which it is to be applied and of a depth on one 6 5 side approximatelyequal to the depth of the dashboard. Two forked extensions 2 are formed upon one side of this piece, and these are folded down so that their outer edges coincide with the outer edges of the portion A, to which they are then sewed. This forms the front and sides, which extend diagonally inward. bn'lines as shown at 4.

The body or main portion of the apron 5 is made rectangular in form, and its front edge 7 5 is sewed along-the diagonal lines fl, thus com pleting the apron.

The peculiar cut of the front apron and the connection of the body portion of the apron therewith on the diagonal lines causes the 8d apron when pulled up. to form. an approximately straight line from the top of the dashboard toits point ofattachment to the upper part of the vehicle, and the sides of the apron drop ofi andc'ovr'the edges of the vehiclebody, so as to prevent any ingress of rain or snow. By reason of this cut the side edges are drawn comparatively tight, and this prevents the wind from blowing the apron up or leaving openings through which the rain can go beat in to wet the occupants or to damage anythingwhich may be carriedin the front portion of the vehicle. This tension along the edges also acts along the bottom line of the front portion A and at thesides, so as to draw 5 the bottom closely in around the lower part of the dashboard, and asthisis usually curved inward a little at the bottonritform's a sort of a lock which preventsthat portion from slipping up and being pulled off of the dash- 10o board.

When the device is to be removed, it is necessary to drop the upperportion of the apron so as to relieve any strain upon the edges, and

then by taking hold of the corners it can he slipped off the dashboard. I

These aprons may be of any suitable or desired material. They may be made of cotton cloth and afterward covered with a preparation which makes them waterproof.

A suitable opening may be made at 7, through which the reins can pass from the team to the driver, thus enabling him to guide the animals without exposing the hands, and a flap 8 is adapted to cover this opening to prevent the rain entering at this point.

Suitable eyelets, as at 9, serve for connecting the upper edges of the apron with the top frame or other parts of the vehicle in the usual manner.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

WILLIAM G. REESE.

Witnesses:

A. J. Rossr, CHAS. DAVIS. 

